Dear Editor,
We were fortunate enough to have access to both the videos of Granger v Ramotar, and upon reflection we must commend Mr Granger for still reaching out after being one of the targets of a fine presidential ‘cuss down.‘ What we heard from Brigadier (rtd) Granger was a firm set of rules of engagement if any talks are to continue with the PPP. What we heard from President Ramotar was a menu of obscene barbs on who is “bitter,“ “undemocratic,“ doers of “foul deeds,“ “extremists,“ “callous and mean-spirited” – his words, not ours.
It is clear that President Ramotar is attempting to pander to those in power but not in office. That speech had all the footprints of the Pradoville set who will go in front of a microphone and launch into a fine ‘cuss down‘ while in the next breath travel on taxpayers’ money as international ‘diplomats.‘ We trust this was an anomaly on the part of the President, although the evidence reveals that this is the second time in a matter of months that he has launched into these irresponsible and unpresidential statements. Such utterances are unbecoming of the President.
The opposition made the decision to cut $21 billion from the budget. What do you do in such circumstances“ ‘cuss them out‘ or in a mature manner try to understand their issues and find common solutions? It is clear that the PPP leadership is in “uncharted waters.” They continue to not listen to the voice of the people, something they mastered over the last 10 years.
Running a country has absolutely nothing to do with calling your political opponent names; in fact, it is unstatesmanlike for President Ramotar to use precious air time to indulge in name-calling. It is our firm belief that running a country has everything to do with identifying the issues that are affecting the poor and the working class and engaging all to find common solutions to push for progress. Have none of the PPP leaders ever been schooled in the “art of negotiations and compromise?”
Notwithstanding what the PPP has said in the print and electronic media, the AFC stands ready to negotiate a National Development Strategy with them. The nation needs progress on many issues including: The Amaila Falls Hydro project and the green technology industry; the Linden to Lethem road/rail project; the reform of the Guyana Police Force to make it more efficient with the help of the British and the Americans; the establishment of a bio-fuel industry and an E-10 strategy; the reform of UG by removing PPP hacks in order to make it a sound academic institution and thus bring it on par with UWI; upgrading the infrastructure at the Cheddi Jagan airport to make Guyana a hub for Africa and Latin America; the development of a deep-water harbour in Berbice; the establishment of a world class manufacturing sector in Linden including an alumina industry; the setting up an internationally acclaimed jewellery manufacturing hub in Bartica; the launch of a world class livestock industry in the Rupununi.
But all of the above must follow the basic principles of the new dispensation in the 10th Parliament – greater transparency, accountability, dialogue and compromise on the part of all, especially the minority PPP government.
The President said he still holds to the view that “dialogue with all Guyanese, including the political parties, is the best way for us to narrow our differences and reach consensus on the way forward”; we are optimistic there is still hope. But those nice words, continue to be marred by venomous words from the PPP contributing to a severe trust deficit between the PPP and the majority opposition. On top of that, the PPP has a poor track record of following up on their words with honest and concrete action. They always find someone else to blame for their inaction. This is not leadership; this is political pomposity. Remember the Herdmanston Accord?
Where are the new local government elections the PPP promised the people since 1999? Where is the Public Procurement Commission they promised the people since the 2001? Where are the public service reforms they promised the people since 1999? Why are they continuing their illegal act of hiding some $50 billion in accounts in NICIL, GGMC, National Frequency Management Unit, Lotto Funds, Forestry Commission, among several others? Is this the way forward President Ramotar spoke about?
Thus it is hoped that the minority PPP will let good sense prevail this time and not only sit down with the majority political opposition as equals to talk, but to deliver on the goods that they promised the people.
Mr Granger did a good job of flagging the ice-breakers to the next conversation but we want to focus surgically on four areas since it is our belief in the AFC that something tangible must be done immediately for the poor, the working class and mothers of Guyana who cannot wait for any talks:
* An immediate reduction of VAT by 1% (the AFC called for a 4% reduction in the 2011 campaign). Isn’t this compromise? (As an academic noted, the AFC has always recognized the VAT as a useful tax to capture the underground economy, the drug dealers, and the corrupt politicians, so we are not against the VAT)
* An immediate 10% salary increase for all state workers whether they work at GuySuCo, GPL or the Ministry of Public Works (the AFC called for a 20% wage increase across the board in the 2011 campaign). Isn’t this compromise?
* The Public Procurement Commission must be established within 30 days before any further supplemental budget can be considered. This is the solemn pledge of the AFC during the budget debate.
* All of the funds from parastatal organizations like NICIL, GGMC, Lotto, etc, “save and except for one year‘s operation cost,” must be transferred to the Consolidated Fund which will result in more than $48 billon being made available immediately to the Guyanese people. After all, it is the taxpayers and not only the PPP clique who should know where their money is and how it is being spent.
The way forward is not the NCN/GINA funded mass propaganda campaign; this just contributes to the further alienation of the minority PPP by the majority in the nation. The way forward is at the dialogue table with all the parliamentary political parties and civil society, especially the GTUC and FITUG and senior and respected business leaders like Clifford Reis, Chris Fernandes and Yesu Persaud. This is the bare minimum that the majority opposition has asked for, but the naked truth is, the minority PPP has refused and has reverted to their dictatorial ways of governance as if they still have a majority.
Unfortunately, time and history is not on the side of the PPP.
Yours faithfully,
Asquith Rose
Sasenarine Singh
